Honestly, I get why you're asking how many of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies exist. It's confusing! When I first dug into this, I was surprised how much more there was beyond Jack Sparrow's adventures. Let me break it down plain and simple - we're talking films, spinoffs, theme park magic, and even scrapped projects. By the time we're done, you'll know exactly how many Pirates of the Caribbean entries there are and where to find them.
The Core Film Series Breakdown
Most folks just want to know about the movies. Right now, there are five main films starring Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow. Here's the quick list:
- The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
- Dead Man's Chest (2006)
- At World's End (2007)
- On Stranger Tides (2011)
- Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)
Detailed Film Guide
| Film Title | Release Year | Director | Box Office | Key Cast Members |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Curse of the Black Pearl | 2003 | Gore Verbinski | $654 million | Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley |
| Dead Man's Chest | 2006 | Gore Verbinski | $1.066 billion | Depp, Rush, Bloom, Knightley, Bill Nighy |
| At World's End | 2007 | Gore Verbinski | $963 million | Depp, Rush, Bloom, Knightley, Chow Yun-Fat |
| On Stranger Tides | 2011 | Rob Marshall | $1.046 billion | Depp, Rush, Ian McShane, Penélope Cruz |
| Dead Men Tell No Tales | 2017 | Joachim Rønning & Espen Sandberg | $794 million | Depp, Rush, Javier Bardem, Brenton Thwaites |
That first movie? Absolute gold. But I'll be straight with you - On Stranger Tides felt different without the original crew. Still made bank though. What's wild is how many people forget that Pirates 6 is actually happening. Yeah, Disney confirmed it's in development, though Depp's involvement is shaky after his legal stuff.
Beyond the Movies: Short Films & Spinoffs
If you only count the main films, you're missing half the story about how many Pirates of the Caribbean adventures there really are. Disney loves expanding this universe:
Fun fact: Before the first movie blew up, Disney almost made an animated TV series starring Jack Sparrow. Test footage exists but never got greenlit. Shame really - could've been cool.
Official Spinoffs You Should Know
- Tales of the Code: Wedlocked (2011) - This 7-minute short bridges the gap between films 3 and 4. You can find it on YouTube actually.
- Kingdom Hearts Video Games - Jack Sparrow appears in multiple installments of this Disney/Square Enix crossover series
- The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow - Was a walkthrough attraction at Hollywood Studios from 2012-2014. Got replaced by Star Wars stuff
I visited that Jack Sparrow attraction back in 2013. Neat concept but honestly felt a bit cheap compared to the original ride. Still cool for superfans though.
The OG Pirate Experience: Theme Park Attractions
Here's where it gets fascinating - the movies actually came AFTER the ride. When people ask "how many Pirates of the Caribbean attractions are there?", they're often shocked to learn there are five versions worldwide:
| Location | Opened | Unique Features |
|---|---|---|
| Disneyland (California) | 1967 | Original version with two drops and auction scene |
| Magic Kingdom (Florida) | 1973 | Shorter with single drop, updated Jack Sparrow animatronics |
| Tokyo Disneyland | 1983 | Massive show building with unique scenes |
| Disneyland Paris | 1992 | Reversed layout with restaurant inside |
| Shanghai Disneyland | 2016 | High-tech boats and battle sequences |
The California original remains my favorite - something magical about seeing Walt's last big project. That distinctive water smell takes me back to childhood visits. Rode it three times last trip just studying the details.
Future Projects & Development Status
When counting how many of the Pirates of the Caribbean films are coming, things get murky. Here's the latest:
- Pirates 6 - Script confirmed, Jerry Bruckheimer producing. Might reboot without Depp
- Margot Robbie Spin-off - Announced in 2020 but reportedly shelved in 2022
- Disney+ Series - Rumored female-led show, but no official confirmation
Honestly? I'm torn about Depp possibly not returning. His Jack Sparrow defined the franchise, but fresh blood might revive it. That said, Robbie's version sounded promising - shame if it's truly dead.
Production timelines keep shifting. Last I heard, Bruckheimer wants to start filming late 2024 or early 2025. But with Hollywood strikes and rewrites, who knows?
Complete Pirates Media Timeline
To really understand how many Pirates of the Caribbean installments there are, check this chronological list covering all media:
| Year | Title | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Disneyland Ride | Theme Park Attraction | Operational |
| 2003 | The Curse of the Black Pearl | Feature Film | Released |
| 2006 | Dead Man's Chest | Feature Film | Released |
| 2007 | At World's End | Feature Film | Released |
| 2011 | On Stranger Tides | Feature Film | Released |
| 2011 | Tales of the Code: Wedlocked | Short Film | Released |
| 2012 | The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow | Theme Park Experience | Closed (2014) |
| 2017 | Dead Men Tell No Tales | Feature Film | Released |
| 2025+ | Untitled Sixth Film | Feature Film | In Development |
Notice how the gaps between films keep growing? Six years between 3 and 4, then another six before 5. Makes you wonder if they're running out of wind in the sails.
Viewing Order & How to Watch
If you're diving in, here's how to experience all Pirates content:
Essential Viewing Order:
- The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
- Dead Man's Chest (2006)
- At World's End (2007)
- Tales of the Code: Wedlocked (short)
- On Stranger Tides (2011)
- Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)
Where to find them? Disney+ has all five movies plus the short film. For the theme park experiences, you'll need park tickets - though plenty of ride-through videos exist online.
Worth noting: The later films reference park elements more heavily. That mermaid pool in On Stranger Tides? Straight from the ride's blue bayou.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Pirates of the Caribbean movies are there exactly?
Five main theatrical releases between 2003-2017, plus one official short film. When considering how many of the Pirates of the Caribbean films exist, we count these six screen adventures.
Is Pirates 6 confirmed?
Yes, but details are scarce. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed the script exists. Whether Johnny Depp returns remains uncertain.
How many Pirates of the Caribbean attractions exist today?
There are five operational versions across Disney parks worldwide. The Florida and California versions are most famous.
What's the chronological order?
Watch by release date: Start with Black Pearl (2003) through Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017). The short film fits between At World's End and On Stranger Tides.
Are there any animated Pirates projects?
None officially released. A proposed animated series was scrapped early in development despite test animations being created.
When asking how many of the Pirates of the Caribbean rides are there, do clones count separately?
Absolutely. Each version has significant differences. Tokyo's has unique cavern scenes while Paris incorporates a restaurant into the queue.
How many Pirates of the Caribbean video games exist?
Over 15 officially licensed games across consoles, mobile, and browser platforms. The LEGO Pirates game remains most popular.
Total runtime if I marathon all films?
Approximately 14 hours and 23 minutes for the five main films. Add 7 minutes for the short film. Better stock up on rum!
Why People Confuse the Total Count
Let's be real - the franchise gets messy. From where I stand, three things trip people up:
First, the massive gaps between films. Six-year pauses make folks forget earlier entries. Second, the theme park origins create confusion - some think the ride came after the films. Third, canceled projects like Robbie's movie create false counts.
I've met fans who swear there's only three movies. Others think the Tokyo ride is just a clone. When determining how many of the Pirates of the Caribbean experiences truly exist, details matter.
The merchandising doesn't help either. Walk through any Disney store and you'll see dozens of products branded "Pirates" that aren't connected to specific films or rides. Blurs the lines further.
The Ultimate Checklist for Pirates Fans
For true completionists wondering how many Pirates of the Caribbean items they need to experience, here's your bucket list:
- ✅ Watch all 5 feature films
- ✅ View Tales of the Code short film
- ✅ Ride at least one version of the attraction (California recommended)
- ✅ Play Kingdom Hearts II (features Port Royal world)
- ✅ Read On Stranger Tides novel (the film borrowed its title)
- ✅ Visit Disneyland during Pirates League makeover experience
- ❌ Watch Margot Robbie spin-off (canceled)
- ❌ Experience Jack Sparrow walkthrough attraction (permanently closed)
Looking at this list reminds me how bittersweet fandom can be. You chase these experiences only to find some doors closed forever. Still worth the journey though.
So when someone asks you "how many of the Pirates of the Caribbean are there?" - you've got answers. Five core films. Five theme park attractions. Countless spinoffs and adaptations. And more coming, though slower these days.
What surprises people most? That the whole billion-dollar franchise started with a boat ride Walt Disney built because he loved mechanical birds. True story. Sometimes the simplest ideas become legends.
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